France’s Finest

Explore the medieval quarter of the cultural capital of Normandy. Stroll with your guide to the historic city center. Known as the “Ville Aux Cent Clochers” or “City of a Hundred Spires,” Rouen’s most magnificent steeple rises from the Notre Dame Cathedral, a favorite subject of Claude Monet. Visit its breathtaking interior, burial place of Richard the Lionheart, English king and Norman duke, and admire the ornate gold face of the Renaissance-style Gros Horloge Astronomical Clock. Admire the Bourgtheroulde Mansion, see several beautiful half-timbered houses and the 14th-century abbey where Joan of Arc was sentenced to death and the Place du Vieux Marché, where she was burned at the stake. A statue of Joan marks the place of the pyre. At tour’s end, return to the ship at your leisure, a few blocks away on the beautiful Seine River.

Experience the daily life of a working Norman farm as you enjoy a leisurely visit to a bucolic homestead. Normandy is renowned for its creamy cheeses and endless apple orchards that produce delicious cider and calvados, the region’s beloved apple brandy. Join your guide for a scenic drive to Saint-Michel-d’Halescourt, a tiny French commune amid vast fertile fields where these iconic products have their roots. Your destination is the Domaine Duclos Fougeray, a beautiful rustic farm whose 18th-century buildings are made from stone, mud and timber. The owners have been making award-winning cider and other products here for more than two decades and invite you to visit the orchards and watch a lively shepherd dog demonstration. During your visit, you will sample calvados and its close cousin pommeau with homemade apple tart and Norman cheeses. After time to savor your snack and the glorious setting, return to your ship.

Explore one of Normandy’s coastal jewels where historic houses line the quay amid quaint galleries and eateries. Drive with your guide to Honfleur, whose picturesque old harbor has lured painters for centuries. Today, you can still see enthusiasts leaning into their easels and putting brush to canvas. Its quay is lined with slate-covered facades with red roofs, and colorful fishing boats bob on the current. During a walking tour, pass the wooden Church of St. Catherine, the waterfront houses on the Old Harbor and the narrow streets of the Old Town. You will also see the memorial plaque for Samuel de Champlain, founder of Quebec City. Soak up the atmosphere around Vieux Bassin in the heart of the port and enjoy free time exploring the shops and art galleries. Savor a tasty snack at a local eatery as you take in the views from the terrace before returning to your ship.